Lightswitch worked with legendary band Maná to reimagine what a rock show can look like and create their powerful “Vivir Sin Aire” Tour from the ground up.
Lightswitch worked with legendary band Maná to reimagine what a rock show can look like and create their powerful “Vivir Sin Aire” Tour from the ground up.
On the heels of a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, renowned Mexican rock band Maná approached Lightswitch with a challenge: create a brand new show for a group that has already toured for over 40 years. The band’s vision for this reimagined rock show included a wide circumference of unencumbered audience sightlines, achieved using equipment that would fit inside a limited number of trucks. While these specifications presented challenges, they also gave our team clear parameters, allowing us to lay a solid foundation from the very start.
Considering their primarily Latin fan base, it was important to Maná that a Latin designer, who understood the culture of their songs, led the design team. Lightswitch Senior Director Ignacio Rosenberg created the entire show from the ground up, including designing a stage that guided audiences through a visual narrative, with an LED wall and floating screen “crown.” These multi-dimensional visuals added context and immersed the audience in the experience. Other aspects of the show development included lighting and projection design, scenic elements such as a rain machine, and even a robotic butterfly. Because of Maná’s conservation efforts and deep connection to the environment, we ensured the show was as eco-friendly as possible. LED lighting took center stage, the rain machine used untreated and reclaimed water, and confetti was foregone to avoid waste. The result was a show-stopping experience that offered thrills without compromising the band’s sustainability priorities.
The “Vivir Sin Aire” Tour was a shining example of Lightswitch’s signature pragmatic design. Our team balanced the creative, logistical, and financial aspects of the design to create an impressive arena tour that delivered powerful visuals for audiences, optimized seat availability for venues, and cut down on truck space for the artists and touring team. Show designer Ignacio Rosenberg was able to “speak the language” throughout the show’s development – both literally and figuratively – to keep the process on track and create an unforgettable tour for this legendary band.
photography by Juan Botero
